Let's see if I understand you- To use an alias if I voice either a politically correct or a politically incorrect opinion demonstrates a lack of fortitude to stand behind my beliefs??? Don't you mean I don't have the fortitude to stand behind the beliefs as expressed by the board persona I created when using my handle? You assume that everyone who uses his/her handle expresses their true "real-life" opinions. I must say that is a big assumption. I know in my case, I rarely express my "real life" opinion on anything here because it's more fun to express views often not represented on these boards. My board handle persona is not me- not by a long shot. So if I use an alias I have no more or less conviction than when I use my handle. They are both fictional characters. Bottom line- I could give a shit about the fortitude of my beliefs as expressed on this board because 99% of what I express is bs to begin with. So for someone to get on their high horse about my having the fortitude to stand behind made up convictions is laughable. For some of us, this ain't real life. Somewhere in the disclaimers on this site is the phrase, "For entertainment purposes only."
I was introduced to this site by a provider who uses aliases. She is still active and I laugh my ass off everytime I see a post she's made using one of her hobbyist aliases. She usually makes a provocative post of some sort just to see the responses. In fact, the guys who always whine about alias use are usually the ones who take her bait and post away like mad-- so gullible and so predictable.
For the sake of discussion, would you agree that a statement that has merit should stand regardless of who said it? If my handle persona said that 2 plus 2 equals 4, is that anymore true than if my alias persona said it? I'm talking about ideas and/or concepts in a discussion.
If you look at the P&R board, some guys there never get a second look because regardless of what they write under their particular handle, others mock it and will not address the issue raised. But that same poster, using an alias will often get a whole discussion thread going because no one can react to the handle persona, only to the point or issue being raised. Conviction may have nothing to do with the reason for using an alias. Perhaps a poster just wants an idea to stand on it's own. And if you don't know who posted it, all you're left with to respond to is the content of the post itself. What's wrong with that?
What I found interesting from the post below is all the anger generated because of the use of an alias.
Why all the fuss?
Isn't the only difference the ability to PM?
An alias is basically used for 2 things.
1. To use a funny name or something along those lines to create humor and have fun.
2. To create another "persona" so one can bash, ridicule, slander, demean, or basically be a real jackass. In using the alias the person who is doing this can then remain "good and proper" in the eyes of everyone with their main handle. This person doesn't piss anyone off with their main handle, yet can spout out some of the foulest, meanest crap around.
People think reason #1 can be fun and a have a good chuckle. Also people think using #2 is a copout and hiding. If you really feel the way that you are saying when using #2 then be a real man (or woman) and stand up as yourself to say it.
b-
An alias is appropriate for other uses, such as a politically incorrect opinion, or an opinion that is not considered mainstream with the general masses.
An alias is also frequently used to reply under stealth as to avoid being placed on blacklists, or being labeled incorrectly.
Whiteknights have little need for an alias, since they want everyone to see their hobby handle, and are usually the ones crying about other people using them.
Here's another "surprise", some providers use aliases also, not just the guys.
Using an alias to voice a politically correct opinion is just as big a cop out as using it to bash someone anonymously. To me it is still not having the fortitude to stand behind your beliefs.I have many unpopular opinions, but I own every post I have ever made here, even the stupid ones.
The one possible exeption to that IMO is if a provider is fearful that her business will suffer because of her opinion. A woman's livelihood has got to be more important than winning some argument on TER.
Let's see if I understand you- To use an alias if I voice either a politically correct or a politically incorrect opinion demonstrates a lack of fortitude to stand behind my beliefs??? Don't you mean I don't have the fortitude to stand behind the beliefs as expressed by the board persona I created when using my handle? You assume that everyone who uses his/her handle expresses their true "real-life" opinions. I must say that is a big assumption. I know in my case, I rarely express my "real life" opinion on anything here because it's more fun to express views often not represented on these boards. My board handle persona is not me- not by a long shot. So if I use an alias I have no more or less conviction than when I use my handle. They are both fictional characters. Bottom line- I could give a shit about the fortitude of my beliefs as expressed on this board because 99% of what I express is bs to begin with. So for someone to get on their high horse about my having the fortitude to stand behind made up convictions is laughable. For some of us, this ain't real life. Somewhere in the disclaimers on this site is the phrase, "For entertainment purposes only."
I was introduced to this site by a provider who uses aliases. She is still active and I laugh my ass off everytime I see a post she's made using one of her hobbyist aliases. She usually makes a provocative post of some sort just to see the responses. In fact, the guys who always whine about alias use are usually the ones who take her bait and post away like mad-- so gullible and so predictable.
For the sake of discussion, would you agree that a statement that has merit should stand regardless of who said it? If my handle persona said that 2 plus 2 equals 4, is that anymore true than if my alias persona said it? I'm talking about ideas and/or concepts in a discussion.
If you look at the P&R board, some guys there never get a second look because regardless of what they write under their particular handle, others mock it and will not address the issue raised. But that same poster, using an alias will often get a whole discussion thread going because no one can react to the handle persona, only to the point or issue being raised. Conviction may have nothing to do with the reason for using an alias. Perhaps a poster just wants an idea to stand on it's own. And if you don't know who posted it, all you're left with to respond to is the content of the post itself. What's wrong with that?
Right. exactly. I feel posting on the boards is being an active member of any community, for better of for worse.
-M
I mean, if you don't want people to know you feel that way don't post. I've posted some things on here that have had folks yelling for me to be put on providers 'DNS' lists, because they hated the truth too much. I really don't care, if I'm blacklisted or whatever because of being my honest self (always respectful...unless somoene isn't to me..) then so be it!
-M